TSMC, the Taiwanese company that makes all Apple’s processors, reportedly starts building its third chip foundry in Arizona this year. It could be finished in as little as two years, much quicker than the first one.
The company is already using its initial U.S. factory to make chips for Apple, while the second is still under construction.
TSMC expands US foundry construction
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company produces iPhone and Mac processors that Apple designs. Mostly, that happens in Taiwan, but tax credits in President Joe Biden’s CHIPS and Science Act persuaded the company to move some production to the United States. And in March, the chipmaker committed to an additional $100 investment, likely hoping to head off President Donald Trump’s tariff threats.
The chip fabrication plant TSMC opened in Arizona now makes two Apple processors. And that’s only the start.
“The chip titan is now busy installing clean room facilities at a second, more advanced plant in the state that will start pilot production by next year,” reports Nikkei Asia.
The first foundry makes 5nm chips, while the second will produce 3nm chips beginning in 2028. The third plant will make 2nm processors.
The big news is that sources told Nikkei Asia this week that construction on the third TSMC chip plant starts in 2025. The official plan is to have it producing before the end of the decade — but that’s apparently the company being conservative in its estimates. Off the record, sources said the fab should be finished in about two years.
As TSMC is the source of all CPUs for iPhone, Mac, iPad and Apple Watch, it’s a safe bet that plenty of chips made in Arizona will go into Apple products.
